Page 73 of Dawn Caravan
“I emailed instructions to you about the safe in New York. The letter is for Ben.” She met Chloe’s shocked eyes. “If a year has passed from this day and I have not spoken to you, give this letter to Benjamin.”
Chloe said, “You’re scaring me.”
“Don’t be scared.” She touched the woman’s shoulder. “I don’t expect anything to happen to me. I’m quite hard to kill. But I think this is necessary. It shouldn’t take more than three to seven months.”
“Three to seven months? That’s oddly specific.”
“I think the snow will come in October.”
Chloe let out a strangled laugh. “Yeah, this is weird and cryptic even for you.”
“I know.” She frowned. “I am not going to stop working on my New Year’s resolutions, but for now I may have to pause my progress.”
“Okay.” Chloe nodded. “Again, nothing about that makes sense.”
“Hopefully I’ll be able to tell you in three to—”
“Seven months.” Chloe waved the letter. “I got you.”
“Are you and Gavin going to return to New York soon?”
“I think he said last night that he needs one more night to work here, then back to Romania for Ben’s meeting with Radu, then back to LA to drop off the plane, and then we’ll head home from there.”
“I see.” Tenzin thought rapidly. “I can’t decide if Gavin should accompany Ben to meet Radu. I think maybe he should.”
“I don’t think he was planning on it. Radu has no leverage on Ben at this point. He prepaid for the icon with all that gold, so all Ben needs to do is drop it off. Pretty straightforward.”
“Yes, all that gold…” Tenzin turned to Chloe. “Tell Gavin there isnothingabout Radu that is straightforward. I warned Ben not to underestimate him, but I ended up doing it myself. Ben won’t take me seriously.”
Chloe fisted her hair in her hands. “You need to start making sense, Tenzin!”
“I know.” She quickly leaned forward and kissed Chloe’s cheek. “You are a true friend to both of us and I love you.” She hugged Chloe quickly. “You know that, correct?”
Chloe’s expression told her she hadn’t known it. “I love you too. Please be safe.”
“Of course.” Her fangs peeked out when she smiled. “I’m finally having fun again. But don’t tell Ben I said that.”
“That you’re having fun with something that’s obviously life-threatening? Yeah, I think I’ll keep that to myself.”
“Ben likes to pretend that he doesn’t also get excited by dangerous situations. I don’t understand that about him, but I have decided not to challenge his sense of self for a while.”
“Okay.” Chloe shrugged. “Sure.”
“I’ll see you in three to seven months.” Tenzin slung her backpack over her shoulder. “Hopefully.”
* * *
Ben wokefrom his day rest and he was starving. He hit the intercom inside his sleeping chamber.
“Yes, Mr. Vecchio? Can we help you this evening?”
Gavin’s household staff was amazing. “Can I get a thermos of preserved blood heated and sent to my room?”
“If you’ll give us ten minutes, we can have fresh delivered.”
“Sweet.” He swallowed back the burning in his throat. “Just leave it on the table. I’m going to stay secured until it’s delivered.”
“Thank you, Mr. Vecchio.”
